BANKRUPTCY sure sounds like a scary word. And most people see it as an admission of financial failure. By declaring bankruptcy, they figure they are hitting rock bottom.

But is that really true?

If you take a look around at all the people who have experienced bankruptcy, you will discover something rather remarkable: Bankruptcy is actually an opportunity to recover—to repair your financial wounds and move forward by starting a new chapter in your life. It isn’t the admission of failure: Bankruptcy is the declaration that you will not be trapped by anxiety and financial stress.

In fact, many, many people—from the entry-level clerical worker to the millionaire CEO—have filed bankruptcy. You will see that:

Bankruptcy is just one stepping stone in a much, much longer life journey,
By shifting your thinking, you can use bankruptcy as a catalyst, and all of life’s gifts began with a so-called crisis.

Most importantly, you will learn that your bankruptcy can be something that empowers you. It can be an opportunity to turn your life around, just like Henry John Heinz. Allow me to share his story.

The great advice-columnist Ann Landers once said, “Expect trouble as an inevitable part of life and repeat to yourself, the most comforting words of all; this, too, shall pass.”
This, too, shall pass.

Surely, Henry John Heinz must have muttered a similar sentiment to himself when he had to file for bankruptcy in 1875.

As background: Henry John Heinz was one of eight children born to immigrant parents. At the age of six, Heinz helped his mother in the garden. By the time he was nine, Heinz was making his own horseradish sauce. And by the time he was twelve, he was using a horse and cart to make deliveries.

His was a built-from-scratch story of hard work from an early age. When Heinz was just 25 years old, he and a friend started a company that sold horseradish, pickles, sauerkraut, and vinegar.

Then something went wrong. Heinz was obligated to pay for a crop, and the crop yielded much, much more harvest than anyone anticipated. The debt from this “bumper crop” overwhelmed the condiment company, and it was forced into bankruptcy in 1875.

This is the way life works: Sometimes, we are forced into bankruptcy not because we mismanaged money, but because life isn’t always fair or kind. Sometimes, the unexpected happens: A bumper crop yields too much harvest, a medical emergency leaves us financially strapped, or we lose our jobs due to a downturn in the economy.

Remember: This, too, shall pass. This is a bump in the road, but it is not the end of the road. Just as life has its inevitable obstacles, it also has its fair share of blessings. When you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to remind yourself of this. Everything is temporary.

After filing bankruptcy, Heinz immediately began a new company with his brother and a cousin, and together, they introduced a new condiment, tomato ketchup. Eventually, Heinz would buy out his brother and cousin and re-organize under the name, The H.J. Heinz Company, which in 2013 was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway and 3G Capital for $28 billion. How’s that for an amazing success story?

If you ever want to talk to someone about your situation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 and schedule a free consultation. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia.

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None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped thousands of clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call Ray Bulaon Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1 (866) 477-7772.